Geotechnical Laboratory

Whether you need advanced geotechnical analysis or general soil classification, EGS has the capacity to accomplish a job of any size with a full time engineer on staff in our laboratory, you can be assured that you are getting the highest quality data in the business. Please contact Tom Hayden, P.E. at office@egs-us.com to see how EGS can assist you in your next project.

Click on the links below to learn more about the soil tests that EGS offers.

Click on the links below to see our FDOT and CMEC Accreditations.

 

Soil Testing Procedures

  • ASTM D421 / AASHTO T87/ FM1-T87: Dry Preparation of Soil
  • Dry Preparation of SoilTest Purpose:
  • To aid in preparing a sample for other physical tests.
  • Test Procedure:
  • This procedure involves preparation of a test specimen for other physical tests. Moist samples are first dried out to constant mass in the convection oven, then the sample is pulverized, split, and reduced to the required size.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • Sample size varies depending on the physical time requested. Contact our laboratory for more information on sample size and shipping options.
  • Special Considerations: Procedure is broken into two different procedures:
  • D421 (Small Sample): Used for most physical tests
  • D421 (Large Samples): Used for prepping proctors, LBR's, CBR's, and soil-cement series.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 24 hours or less.
  • Prerequisite Tests:
  • None
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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  • ASTM D422 / AASHTO T88/ FM1-T88: Particle Size Analysis of Soil
  • Particle Size Analysis of SoilTest Purpose:
  • To determine the particle size distribution of soils to aid in classification.
  • Test Procedure: Samples can either be dry sieved or wet sieved by request. The standard EGS sieve set is as follows:
  • No. 4 Sieve
  • No. 20 Sieve
  • No. 20 Sieve
  • No. 40 Sieve
  • No. 60 Sieve
  • No. 100 Sieve
  • No. 200 Sieve
  • Sample Preparation:
  • Sample size varies depending on the sample gradation results and material type.
  • Special Considerations:
  • None
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 4 days or less.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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  • ASTM D1140 / AASHTO T11/ FM1-T88: -200 Sieve Analysis of Soil
  • -200 Sieve Analysis of SoilTest Purpose:
  • To determine the percentage of particle size that is finer than 0.075mm (the No. 200 sieve).
  • Test Procedure:
  • Soils are passed through the 200 sieve moist or dry.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • Sample size varies depending on the test procedure and estimated material type.
  • Special Considerations:
  • None
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 4 days or less.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

 

 

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  • ASTM D422 / AASHTO T88: Hydrometer Analysis of Soil
  • Hydrometer Analysis of SoilTest Purpose:
  • To determine the particle size distribution of soils finer than 0.075mm (No. 200 Sieve) to aid in the classification of soils.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • At least 500 grams of sample are required for this test.
  • Special Considerations:
  • A full Sieve Analysis is also included in this test.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 7 days or less.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

 

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  • ASTM D4318 / AASHTO T89, T90/ FM1-T089, T090: Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Cohesive Soils
  • Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Cohesive SoilsTest Purpose:
  • To determine the water content in which a soil turns from a liquid state to a plastic state. This test is required for soil classification purposes for cohesive soils.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • A minimum of 300 grams of moist soil is needed to perform this test.
  • Special Considerations:
  • Soil sample must display cohesive properties to perform this procedure. This procedure may be required in order for EGS to classify (D2487 & D2488) a sample.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 3 days or less.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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  • ASTM D2216 / AASHTO T265: Moisture Content of Soil
  • Moisture Content of SoilTest Purpose:
  • To determine the percentage of moisture that is present in a given soil sample.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • Sample size varies depending on the test specification requested.
  • Special Considerations:
  • Where other physical tests are performed, moisture contents are included for no additional charge. Proper sample sealing is required to obtain accurate results.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 24 hours or less.
  • Prerequisite Tests:
  • None
  • Other Comments:
  • None

 

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  • ASTM D854 / AASHTO T100: Specific Gravity of Soil
  • Test Purpose:
  • To determine the specific gravity of soils.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • A minimum of 300 grams is required for the procedure.
  • Special Considerations:
  • An average specific gravity is developed from three different sets of tests.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 5 days or less.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

 

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  • AASHTO T267: Organic Content in Soils by Loss of Ignition
  • Organic Content in Soils by Loss of IgnitionTest Purpose:
  • To determine the percentage of organic material present in a sample.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • A minimum of 100 grams is required to perform this test.
  • Special Considerations:
  • This procedure may be required in order for EGS to classify (D2487 & D2488) a sample.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 3 days or less.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

 

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  • ASTM D2487: Soil Classification (Unified Soil Classification System)
  • Soil Classification (Unified Soil Classification System)Test Purpose:
  • To determine the Unified soil classification of a given sample.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • Varying amounts of soil are needed depending on the physical tests required for classification.
  • Special Considerations:
  • This procedure is normally performed in conjunction with ASTM D2488. The Munsel color chart is used to determine material color.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Varies, depending on testing required.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

 

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  • ASTM D2488: Soil Classification (Visual-Manual Method)
  • Soil Classification (Visual-Manual Method)Test Purpose:
  • To determine the Unified soil classification of a given sample.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • Varying amounts of soil are needed depending on the physical tests required for classification.
  • Special Considerations:
  • This procedure is normally performed in conjunction with ASTM D2487. The Munsel color chart is used to determine material color.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Varies, depending on testing required.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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  • ASTM D698 / AASHTO T99/ FM5-525: Standard Proctor Test
  • Standard Proctor TestTest Purpose:
  • To determine the maximum density and optimum water content of a sample using standard effort.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • Two full 5-gallon buckets of material are needed for this procedure.
  • Special Considerations:
  • None.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 4 days or less.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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  • ASTM D1557 / AASHTO T180 / FM1-T180: Modified Proctor Test
  • Modified Proctor Test MechanismTest Purpose:
  • To determine the maximum density and optimum water content of a sample using modified effort.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • Two full 5-gallon buckets of material are needed for this procedure.
  • Special Considerations:
  • This procedure is required when performing an LBR or CBR analysis.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 4 days or less.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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  • FM5-515: Limerock Bearing Ratio (LBR)
  • Limerock Bearing Ratio Test (LBR)Test Purpose:
  • To evaluate the bearing properties of samples that are used for base, stabilized subgrade, subgrade, or embankment material used in the state of Florida.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • Three full 5-gallon buckets of material are needed for this procedure.
  • Special Considerations:
  • None.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 5 days or less.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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  • ASTM D1883 / AASHTO T193: California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
  • California Bearing Ratio Test (CBR)Test Purpose:
  • To evaluate the bearing properties of samples that are used for base, stabilized subgrade, subgrade, or embankment material used in the state of Florida.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • Three full 5-gallon buckets of material are needed for this procedure.
  • Special Considerations:
  • None.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 5 days or less.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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  • ASTM D### / AASHTO T134: Soil Cement Compaction Series
  • Soil Cement Compaction SeriesTest Purpose:
  • To determine the maximum density and optimum water content of a soil-cement series using modified effort.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • Three full 5-gallon buckets of material are needed for this procedure.
  • Special Considerations:
  • The normal cement contents in a compaction series are 4%, 6%, and 8% cement by weight. Other cement contents can be used at the client's request.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 3 days or less.
  • Prerequisite Tests:
  • All prerequisite tests are included in the price of the compaction series.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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  • ASTM D### / AASHTO T##: Soil Cement Compressive Strength Series
  • Soil Cement Compressive Strength SeriesTest Purpose:
  • To determine the 3-day and 7-day compressive strength of a soil-cement series.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • Two full 5-gallon buckets of material are needed for this procedure.
  • Special Considerations:
  • The normal cement contents in a series are 4%, 6%, and 8% cement by weight and other cement contents can be used at the client's request. Additional break days can be included in the report for an additional charge.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 10 days or less.
  • Prerequisite Tests:
  • All prerequisite tests are included in the price of the compaction series.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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Advanced Soil Testing Procedures

  • FM5-513: Falling Head Permeability of Cohesive Soils
  • Falling Head Permeability of Cohesive SoilsTest Purpose:
  • To determine the permeability of cohesive soils by the falling head method.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • 1000 grams of material are needed for this procedure.
  • Special Considerations:
  • The permeability analysis is only to be used to aid the stormwater engineer in his design. The permeability value should not be used as the 'in situ' infiltration rate of a material in the field.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Time dependant on material type encountered.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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  • ASTM D2166 / AASHTO T208: Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cohesive Soil
  • Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cohesive SoilTest Purpose:
  • To determine the unconfined compressive strength of an undisturbed cohesive soil.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • A shelby tube sample is needed to perform this procedure. Contact our laboratory for special shipping requirements and procedures for undisturbed samples.
  • Special Considerations:
  • This procedure only applies to cohesive soils.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 5 days or less.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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  • ASTM D3080 / AASHTO T236: Direct Shear Analysis of Cohesive Soil
  • Test Purpose:
  • To determine the consolidated drained shear strength of a soil material in direct shear.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • A shelby tube sample (undisturbed sample) is needed to perform this procedure.
  • Special Considerations:
  • Contact our laboratory for special shipping requirements and procedures for undisturbed samples.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 5 days or less.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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  • ASTM D2435 / AASHTO T216: One Dimensional Consolidation of Cohesive Soil
  • One Dimensional Consolidation of Cohesive SoilTest Purpose:
  • To dertermine the one-dimensional consolidation parameters of an undisturbed sample.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • A shelby tube sample is needed to perform this procedure. Contact our laboratory for special shipping requirements and procedures for undisturbed samples.
  • Special Considerations:
  • Test can be performed using either a fixed ring or floating ring or floating ring consolidation cell.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Contact EGS for unit availability.
  • Other Comments:
  • None

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Environmental Soil Testing Procedures

  • FM 5-550: pH of Soil and Water
  • FM 5-550: pH of Soil and WaterTest Purpose:
  • To determine the pH value of soil and water.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • The sample is prepared according to FM 5-550.
  • Special Considerations:
  • None.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 3 days or less.
  • Prerequisite Tests:
  • None
  • Other Comments:
  • None

 

 

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  • FM 5-551: Resistivity of Soil and Water
  • FM 5-551: Resistivity of Soil and WaterTest Purpose:
  • To determine the resistivity value of soil and water.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • The sample is prepared according to FM 5-551.
  • Special Considerations:
  • None.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 3 days or less.
  • Prerequisite Tests:
  • None
  • Other Comments:
  • None

 

 

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  • FM 5-552: Chloride of Soil and Water
  • FM 5-552: Chloride of Soil and WaterTest Purpose:
  • To determine the chloride value of soil and water.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • The sample is prepared according to FM 5-552.
  • Special Considerations:
  • None.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 3 days or less.
  • Prerequisite Tests:
  • None
  • Other Comments:
  • None

 

 

 

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  • FM 5-553: Sulfate of Soil and Water
  • FM 5-553: Sulfate of Soil and WaterTest Purpose:
  • To determine the sulfate value of soil and water.
  • Sample Preparation:
  • The sample is prepared according to FM 5-553.
  • Special Considerations:
  • None.
  • Estimated Testing Length:
  • Normally 3 days or less.
  • Prerequisite Tests:
  • None
  • Other Comments:
  • None

 

 

 

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